Dispensing and metering package

ABSTRACT

A dispensing and metering package capable of fabrication entirely from stiff bendable sheet material, such as corrugated board, or the like, including a container having a false bottom and a side opening between the false bottom and the bottom of the container. The false bottom is provided with a through opening adjacent to the side outlet, and a receiver is shiftable through the outlet between a receiving position beneath the false bottom opening and a dispensing position exteriorly of the container, while a valve element is shiftable with the receiver between a position closing the false bottom when the receiver is dispensing and opening the false bottom when the receiver is in receiving position.

United States Patent H9;

Mommer June 17, 1975 DISPENSING AND METERING PACKAGE Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-joseph J. Rolla [75] inventor. glellgard Paul Mommer, Loveland, y' Agent, or Firm umng & Siege [73] Assignee: ggllgom Chemicals, Inc., Greeley, [57) ABSTRACT A dispensing and metering package capable of fabri- [22] filed: May 1973 cation entirely from stiff bendable sheet material, such [2|] AppL 3 5 1 as corrugated board, or the like, including a container having a false bottom and a side opening between the false bottom and the bottom of the container. The [52] US. Cl 222/355; 222/362 false bottom is provided with a through opening adja cent to the side outlet, and a receiver is shiftable o arc i i through the outlet between a receiving position be- 222/366 355; 221/266 264 neath the false bottom opening and a' dispensing position exteriorly of the container, while a valve element References Clad is shiftable with the receiver between a position clos- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing the false bottom when the receiver is dispensing 2,505,697 4/l950 Vomacka 222/36! and pen ng th false bottom when the receiver is in 3,036,742 5/1962 Wagoner et al. 222/362 X receiving position. 3,754,688 8/1973 Colvin 222/362 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17 1975 III Illllll \\\\\\x DISPENSING AND METERING PACKAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While it is appreciated that the prior art in the field of dispensing and metering packages is highly developed, previous devices of this general type have not met with wide acceptance for many reasons, including highly complex structures of excessive costs, lack of durability and reliability in use, and difficulty in operation requiring training and often resulting in extensive loss of product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a metering and dispensing package which overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties, is extremely simple in construction, being capable of relatively automatic manufacture and assembly from relatively inexpensive materials at a sufficiently low cost to justify disposal of the package when the contents are consumed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a metering and dispensing package of the type described which is extremely simple to operate, so as to be capable of operation by unskilled persons without special training, and is durable and reliable throughout a long useful life.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dispensing and metering package which is entirely safe and highly protective of its contents, being adapted for use with substantially all dry, fluent product, and which is adapted to be economically manufactured entirely of relatively inexpensive sheet material, such as corrugated board, or the like.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompany drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top perspective view showing a metering and dispensing package constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and illus trating the dispensing mode of operation.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a blank adapted to be formed into the dispensing receiver and associated parts of the instant package.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a blank adapted to be formed into the container of the instant package.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the nondispensing condition of operation.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 99 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, a metering and dispensing package of the present invention is there generally designated 10, and may include an outer housing or container II, and a dispensing receiver assembly, generally designated 12.

The container 11 may be formed from suitable stiff, bendable sheet material, as of cardboard, say corrugated stock, or the like, and may be cut and scored to form a blank Ila. The blank 11a is cut and scored to define a plurality of side wall panels of generally rectangular outline configuration including a generally rectangular side wall panel 15 being bounded within an edge 16, a pair of generally parallel fold lines or creases l7 and 18 extending in parallelism with each other from opposite ends of and generally normal to the edge 16. One of the fold lines, say fold line I7 may be formed medially between its ends with a slot 19. Parallel to the edge 16 is a fold line or crease 20 extending from the fold line 18 toward and terminating, as at 21, adjacent to and short of the fold line 17. Extending from the fold line 17, generally normal thereto and in alignment with the fold line 20 is an edge 22 which extends to the point 21, a common terminus with the fold 20.

An additional side panel 25 of rectangular outline configuration is hingedly connected to the panel 15 by the fold line 20, being further bounded within a fold line 26 extending normal to the fold line 20 in alignment with the fold l8, and an edge 27 parallel to the fold 26 and extending from the juncture 21 generally normal to the aligned edge 22 and fold 20. Further bounding the side wall panel 25 is a fold or crease 28 extending generally parallel to the fold 20, between adjacent ends of and normal to the fold 26 and edge 27.

A further side wall panel 30 is hingedly connected to the panel 25 by the fold 28, being bounded within an edge or cut 31 which extends in alignment with the fold 28 from the juncture 32 of the latter fold and edge 27, as well as a pair of parallel folds 33 and 34 extending from opposite ends of the aligned fold 28 and edge 31. That is, the fold 33 extends from the distal end of fold 28 in alignment with fold 26, while the fold 34 extends from the distal end of edge 31, generally normal thereto and in alignment with but spaced from the fold 17. Parallel to the aligned fold 28 and edge 31, extending between adjacent ends of fold 33 and 34 is a fold 35, which combines with the folds 33, 34 and 28, and edge 31 to bound the panel 30.

An additional generally rectangular panel 36 is hingedly connected by fold 35 to panel 30, and is bounded, in addition to the fold 35 within a pair of parallel folds 37 and 38 extending from opposite ends of the fold 35, and a fold 39 extending from adjacent ends of the fold 37 and 38 parallel to the fold 35. A generally rectangular securement flap 40 may be hingedly connected to the panel 36, as along fold 39.

Connected to respective side wall panel end folds I8, 26, 33 and 37 are a plurality of generally rectangular end panels or flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44. An additional securement flap 45 may be provided, as on one of the end flaps, say in flap 44, if desired.

Hingedly connected to the end folds 17 and 38 of respective side panels and 36 are generally triangular end flaps 46 and 47, while a generally rectangular end flap 48 is hingedly connected by fold 34 to panel 30. The end flap 48 is provided remote from the panel 30 with a securement or locking tab, as at 49.

The receiver blank of FIG. 2 is generally designated 12a, and may also be integrally fabricated by suitable scoring and cutting of a single integral sheet of stiff bendable material, such as corrugated board. The blank 120 includes a false bottom panel 51 of generally rectangular outline configuration, with the exception of a generally triangular cut-away region or opening. More specifically. the false bottom panel 51 is bounded within a fold line 52, a pair of generally parallel fold lines 53 and 54 extending from opposite ends of and generally normal to the fold line 52. An edge 55 extends from the fold line 53, generally normal thereto, remote from the fold line 52, and terminates at a point 56, spaced from the adjacent end 57 of fold S4. Extending from the fold end 57 is a generally diagonal cut 58 having an offset medial portion 59 and terminating in an angulate cut 60 spaced inwardly from the fold lines 52 and 53. An additional cut 61 extends from the end 56 of edge 55 to cut 60, the cuts 58, 59, 60 and 61 defining, in the overall, a generally triangulate incursion through one side of the otherwise generally rectangular panel 51.

Extending from one side of the panel 51, being hingedly connected to the panel along fold line 52 is a support or strut flap 65, while an additional support or strut flap 66 is hingedly connected to the panel 51 along fold 53. An additional support flap or strut 67 is hingedly connected along the remaining bounding fold 54 of panel 51, the latter support strut being bounded by a fold or crease 68 extending from the end-point 57 of fold 54 generally normal thereto, a fold or crease 69 extending from the fold 68 in substantial parallelism with the fold 54, and an edge 70 extending between the folds 54 and 69 remote from the fold 68. For purposes appearing presently the strut flaps 65, 66 and 67 are all of the same dimension normal to their respective fold lines 52, 53 and 54.

Hingedly connected to the strut flap 67, along the bounding fold 68, is a generally rectangular panel 71 bounded within the fold 68, a cut 72 extending from one end of the fold 68 normal thereto, in alignment with the fold 69, a fold or crease 73 extending from the other end of fold 68 normal thereto in alignment with the fold 54, and an additional fold or crease 74 parallel to the fold 68 extending between and normal to the cut or edge 72 and fold 73, remote from the fold 68. The fold or crease 73 is formed medially thereof with a cut or slot 75.

A generally triangular or sectorshaped valve element panel or closure 76 is hingedly connected to the panel 71 along fold line 73, being longitudinally coextensive therewith, and bounded within the latter fold line, a fold or crease 77 extending from the fold 73 at the point 57 in angular relation with the latter fold, say being angularly spaced about 45 degrees in the illustrated embodiment.

The fold line or crease 77 may be ofa length approximately equal to the fold line or crease 73, and their spaced ends may be connected together by an edge 78, say of arcuate configuration having a center of curvature located approximately at the point 57.

A generally rectangular panel 80 is hingedly connected to the generally triangular panel 76, along the fold line 77, and is bounded within the latter fold line, the cut or edge 58, a fold line or crease 81 extending from the edge 58 generally parallel to the fold line 77, and an additional edge 82 extending between the folds 77 and 81 remote from the edge 58, which may be an arcuate extension of edge 78.

An additional generally triangular panel 85 extends from and is hingedly connected to the panel 80 along fold line 81, being bounded within the latter fold line and an additional fold line 86 extending from the juncture of cut 58 and fold line 81 in angular spaced relation with the latter, the angular spacing approximating that between fold lines 73 and 77. The fold line 86 extends to the cut 61, and an edge 87 extends between the terminus 56 of cut 61 and a meeting point or juncture with arcuate edge 82.

Further, bounded within the fold line 86, and cuts 58, 60 and 61, is a generally triangular agitator tab or stop member 90 which tapers outwardly from its hinged connection to panel 85, for a purpose appearing presently. The tab 90, along cut 61, is formed with a notch 91, for a purpose appearing presently.

A generally rectangular panel is hingedly connected to the panel 71 along fold line 74, being bounded within the latter fold, a cut or edge 96 extend ing from one end of the fold 74 normal thereto in alignment with cut or edge 72, an additional fold or crease 97 extending from the other end of fold 74 normal thereto in parallelism with edge 96, and a final bounding fold 98 extending between the cut 96 and fold 97 parallel to and spaced from the folds 74. A generally rectangular flap 99 is hingedly connected to the panel 95 along and coextensive with the fold 97, while an additional generally rectangular flap 100 is hingedly connected to and coextensive with the fold line 98.

Hingedly connected to the strut panel 67 along the fold line 69 is a generally rectangular auxiliary strut panel 101, being coextensive with the hinged connec tion 69 and bounded within the latter, a fold line 102 extending normal to the fold line 69 in alignment with the fold 68, an edge 103 extending from the outer end of fold 102 parallel to and generally coextensive with fold line 101, and an additional edge 104 extending between the ends of fold line 69 and edge 103 remote from fold line 102. A generally rectangular panel 105 is hingedly connected to the panel 101, as by connection thereto along fold 102, and is bounded within the latter fold, cut or edge 72, a fold 106 extending from the edge 72 generally normal thereto and aligned with fold 74, and an additional fold 107 in spaced parallelism with edge 72 extending between the folds 102 and 106. A generally rectangular flap 108 is hingedly connected to the panel 105 along fold 107, and an additional generally rectangular flap 109 is hingedly connected to the panel 105 along fold 106.

In the erected and assembled condition, as in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the blank 11a forms the container 11, side wall panels 15, 25, 35 and 36 having been folded along connecting folds 20, 28 and 35 and securement flap 40 secured to panel 15. Thus, the panels 15, 25, 30 and 36 combine to define a peripheral upstanding side wall.

The upper end of the container 11 is defined by folding the several end flaps 41, 42, 43 and 44 into closing relation and securing the same closed in the conventional manner.

The lower end of container 11 is closed by upward swinging of triangulate flaps 46 and 47 into generally coplanar relation, so as to extend across the lower end of the container, and upward swinging of the flap 48 into facing engagement with the undersides of flaps 46 and 47, the tab 49 entering into slot 19 for securement therein. Thus, the panels 46, 47 and 48, combine to define the bottom of container 11 extending across the lower end of the container side wall 15, 25, 30 and 36.

Bounded within the edges 22, 27 and 31 of side wall panel 25, and the upper surface of bottom wall flap 46 is a discharge opening or outlet 110. Thus, the discharge opening or outlet 110 is formed in a lower region of the side wall panel 25, being generally rectangular and coextensive with the latter panel, or horizontal extent and flush with the container bottom wall 46, 47 and 48.

The receiver blank 12a is erected and assembled with the container 11 by folding flaps 65, 66 and 67 along their respective fold lines 52, 53 and 54 to depend generally vertically downwardly from the plane of panel 51. The panel 51 is located in the container 11 spaced over the bottom wall 46, 47, 48 just above the level of outlet opening 110. The flaps 65, 66 and 67 depend into supporting engagement with the bottom wall 46, 47, 48 and thereby define struts or supports for maintaining the false bottom panel 51 in its elevated relation.

The panel 101 may be swung upwardly about its hinged connection 69 to panel 67 and disposed in facing relation with the latter panel as an auxiliary strut. This locates the fold lines 68 and 102 in adjacent coextensive relation so as to hingedly connect the remainder of the blank 12a for swinging movement relative to the false bottom 51 and its support strut means 65, 66, 67 and 101.

With the false bottom 5] thus mounted by its strut means 65, 66, 67 and 101 in the container 11, and the remainder of blank 12a swung about the hinged connection of folds 68 and 102 exteriorly of the container, it will be appreciated that the triangulate space between cuts or edges 58 and 61 defines an opening 111 extending generally vertically through the false bottom 51 adjacent to the outlet opening 110. The through opening 111 of the false bottom 51 is bounded within the cuts or edges 58, 60 and 61, and the wall panel 25 of the container. Further, the offset edge portion 59 defines a recess in the edge 58, for a purpose appearing presently.

In the assembled condition of FIGS. 4-6, the panel 71 extends from its hinged connection 68 generally across the opening 110 and in closing relation there with. From the upper edge of panel 71, the generally sector-shaped valve element or panel 76 extends horizontally inwardly beneath and in facing engagement with the underside of false bottom 51 and in closing relation with the false bottom opening 111. The panel 80 is folded about its bounding fold 77 to depend to the container bottom 46, 47, 48, the triangular panel 85 being folded about its fold line 85 to extend forwardly generally horizontally toward the panel 71 along the upper or internal surface of the container bottom 46, 47, 48. Thus, the valve element or shut-off panel 76 is supported in spaced relation over the container bottom so as to maintain the false bottom opeing 111 closed 6 when the valve element is in its forward position of FIGS. 4-6.

The tab 90 is folded about its hinged connection 86 and extends upwardly along the wall 71, through the slot for securement therein. Further, the tab 90 extends considerably upwardly beyond the level of shutoff wall 76 so as to serve plural functions. In one func tion, the tab 90 serves to limit swinging movement of the valve panel 76 between the forward position of FIGS. 4-6 and the rearward position of FIGS. 7-9. That is, the tab 90 is in limiting abutting engagement with the wall 25 in the forward or closed position of valve element 76, and is in limiting abutting engagement with the edge 58, being specifically received in the recess 59, to limit rearward or inward valve element movement.

Hingedly connected to and extending from the auxili ary strut panel 101 is the closure panel 105, being hingedly mounted for swinging movement about the axis of fold line 68 and 102. The closure panel may have flap 108 swung into facing engagement therewith for rigidifying securement thereto.

Extending from the fold line 74 of wall 71 is the wall panel 95, and its flap 99 may be swung into reinforcing engagement with the latter wall panel. With the closure panel 105 and wall panel extending from opposite ends of the wall panel 71 outwardly and in angulate relation toward each other, the flaps 109 and may be secured in facing engagement with each other so as to locate the folds 106 and 98 in adjacent coextensive relation. in this condition, see FIG. 1, the closure combines with the walls 71 and 95 to define a triangu late vertically open receiver, generally designated 112.

With the closure 10S swung rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 79, the valve element or shut-off wall 76 is displaced rearwardly or inwardly to open the opening 111, and the receiver 112 is located beneath the opening 111 for receiving fluent or granular contents of the container 11 from above the false bottom 51. In this condition, the closure 105 extends in closing relation across the outlet 110, so that escape of the contents is prevented. However, upon outward swinging of the closure 105, it will be apparent that the material received in the receiver will then be discharged gravitationally downwardly to a waiting receptaclev As granular or pulverulent material may sometimes tend to cake and arch, the upstanding projection of the tab 90 will serve to agitate the material, preventing arching and insuring full emptying of the contents by the above'described procedure.

if desired, there may be provided additional stop means, say in the form of a tab, extension or lug 92 projecting downwardly from the upper edge of outlet for limiting engagement with the closure 105 upon inward swinging movement of the latter. Such a tab may be formed on the blank 11a, as along edge 27, at 920.

in the nonuse condition, and prior to use, say in transit and storage, the flaps 109 and may be flexed to overlie the exterior of wall 15, and suitably secured thereto, as by adhesive tape, or other securing means.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a metering and dispensing package which is extremely simple in construction, economical to manufacture and fill to warrant being thrown away after a single usage, durable and reliable throughout its intended life even under abusive conditions, and which otherwise fully accomplishes its intended objects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing and metering package comprising a bottom wall, a side wall upstanding circumferentially about said bottom wall, there being a cutout in a lower region of said side wall, a false bottom spaced over said bottom wall above the level of said cutout and having a through opening adjacent to said cutout, strut means depending from said false bottom into bearing engagement with said bottom wall for supporting said false bottom, a closure hingedly connected by a generally vertical fold axis to said strut means and extending in closing relation across said cutout for swinging movement outwardly out of and inwardly into said closing relation, receiver means carried by said closure for movement therewith between a receiving position beneath said opening when said closure is closed and a dispensing position outwardly of said cutout when said closure is open, said receiver means comprising a first wall having one end hingedly connected by a generally vertical fold to said closure at said strut means, and a second wall extending from the other end of said first wall to said closure remote from said strut means, whereby said first and second receiver walls combined with said closure to define a generally triangular configuration for receiving contents through said opening; and a valve element carried by said receiver means for movement therewith between an open position facing said false bottom when said closure is closed and a closed position across said opening when said closure is open, whereby fluid material above said false bottom is retained by said valve element when said receiver 8 means is extended to dispensing position and gravitationally passes to said receiver when the latter is in receiving position.

2. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said closure being hingedly connected to said strut means 3. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said cutout being generally flush with said bottom wall, and said receiver means extending to said bottom wall for movement therealong.

4. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said false bottom, strut means, closure, receiver means and valve element being integrally fabricated of stiff bendable sheet material.

5. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said valve element comprising a generally horizontal wall extending from said first receiver wall approximately level with said false bottom, and support means depending from said horizontal wall for supporting engagement with said bottom wall.

6. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 5, said support means comprising an upright panel depending from said horizontal wall spaced from said first receiver wall, a lower panel extending from the lower edge of said upright panel, and a tab upstanding from said lower panel and engaged through said horizontal wall.

7. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 6, said stop being defined by an extension on said tab engageable into said opening.

8. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, including stop means in the form ofa panel upstanding from said receiver means into said opening for limiting engagement therewithin, and being pointed upwardly for agitating fluid material being metered. 

1. A dispensing and metering package comprising a bottom wall, a side wall upstanding circumferentially about said bottom wall, there being a cutout in a lower region of said side wall, a false bottom spaced over said bottom wall above the level of said cutout and having a through opening adjacent to said cutout, strut means depending from said false bottom into bearing engagement with said bottom wall for supporting said false bottom, a closure hingedly connected by a generally vertical fold axis to said strut means and extending in closing relation across said cutout for swinging movement outwardly out of and inwardly into said closing relation, receiver means carried by said closure for movement therewith between a receiving position beneath said opening when said closure is closed and a dispensing position outwardly of said cutout when said closure is open, said receiver means comprising a first wall having one end hingedly connected by a generally vertical fold to said closure at said strut means, and a second wall extending from the other end of said first wall to said closure remote from said strut means, whereby said first and second receiver walls combined with said closure to define a generally triangular configuration for receiving contents through said opening; and a valve element carried by said receiver means for movement therewith between an open position facing said false bottom when said closure is closed and a closed position across said opening when said closure is open, whereby fluid material above said false bottom is retained by said valve element when said receiver means is extended to dispensing position and gravitationally passes to said receiver when the latter is in receiving position.
 2. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said closure being hingedly connected to said strut means.
 3. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said cutout being generally flush with said bottom wall, and said receiver means extending to said bottom wall for movement therealong.
 4. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said false bottom, strut means, closure, receiver means and valve element being integrally fabricated of stiff bendable sheet material.
 5. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, said valve element comprising a generally horizontal wall extenDing from said first receiver wall approximately level with said false bottom, and support means depending from said horizontal wall for supporting engagement with said bottom wall.
 6. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 5, said support means comprising an upright panel depending from said horizontal wall spaced from said first receiver wall, a lower panel extending from the lower edge of said upright panel, and a tab upstanding from said lower panel and engaged through said horizontal wall.
 7. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 6, said stop being defined by an extension on said tab engageable into said opening.
 8. A dispensing and metering package according to claim 1, including stop means in the form of a panel upstanding from said receiver means into said opening for limiting engagement therewithin, and being pointed upwardly for agitating fluid material being metered. 